Bridge bench

ABSTRACT

A bridge bench comprises a pair of stationary vertical base supports which are engaged with the floor to provide stability for the bench, a pair of adjustable legs for adjusting the length of the legs based on the user body length, a pair of hinges attached to the top of the base support legs of the bench from distal end of the legs and pivot/hinging mechanism which attaches to the bench support which supports the back of the user at changing angles as the back moves and changes angles when the user successfully completes the Bridge exercise off of the floor via raising the hips up from resting position on the floor to complete extension. Thus the Bridge exercise can be completed safely, ergonomically, with varying degrees of range, and with added resistance. In the same ergonomically correct and dynamic way, this invention may be used to support the lower part of the back leg when the user is completing split squats, Bulgarian split squats, lunges, or similar single leg exercises.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority date of the provisionalpatent application No. 62/210,523 filed Aug. 27, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fitness and exerciseequipment and especially to a bridge bench.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The gluteus maximus muscles are among the body's largest and mostpowerful muscles. They are the strongest hip extensor muscles. Theycontract to move the hips in multiple directions, moving the hips up,forward, and side-to-side. Since they are large muscles, working themcan dramatically increase the metabolic rate and improve strength andoverall function.

The bridge exercise is a highly recommended exercise for developing theglute muscles. The bridge exercise is one of the best movements tostretch the hips and activate the glutes, lower back muscles as well asmany other muscles. The bridge exercise becomes increasingly effective(to maximize gluteal development) as a lifter starts using heavierloads. It is imperative that a lifter adheres to progressive overloadand uses heavier weights over time during hip thrusts, or the Bridgingexercise off of the floor, against gravity and resistance.

The bridge exercise becomes more difficult if the user adds resistance,in addition to body weight during the exercise. Current methods fordoing the bridge exercise off of the floor do not provide anyergonomically friendly or correct back support to effectively completethis exercise with added resistance. This may result in a back injury ordiscomfort to the point where adding additional resistance to completethis exercise is neither practical, nor comfortable during a repetitivebridge exercise with added resistance.

Therefore, there is a need for a device designed for the bridge exerciseto be completed off the floor, against gravity, and with either bodyweight or added resistance, such that the user's requisite moving backangle is accommodated. The device needs to provide dynamic, moving backsupport at all angles during the bridge exercise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a bridge bench which assists a user to dobridge exercise with or without resistance. During the bridge exercisewith the bridge bench, the back portion of the user is fully supportedduring whole period of the exercise. The device also allows the user toincrease the range of the motion for this exercise.

The present invention is an ergonomically designed bridge benchproviding a more comfortable condition for the bridge exercise,especially when the user adds resistance (weight) to the exercise. Thebridge bench of the present invention provides more support for the backportion of the user during the exercise.

The present invention with a unique design can automatically increasethe range of movement during the bridge exercise since user's back israised off of the floor.

The present invention with a unique design can pivot freely around anaxis to provide support and increase range of motion for the user. Thisis important as every user will have slightly different lower leg, upperleg, and back length and overall individual anthropometry.

The present invention is robust having two stationary support rods toengage with the floor and is constructed to handle large weights duringthe bridge exercise with extra resistance.

The present invention has adjustable length support rods or legs toallow users with different heights and weights to adjust the device fortheir comfort and preference. The adjustable length support rods mayalso be used to change the range of movement for this exercise.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become readily apparent from the following drawings and detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments.

The present invention also allows for single leg comfortable,ergonomically friendly single leg squat movements of all kinds,including “Bulgarian Split Squats”. The stationary, non-active lowerpart of the leg which is not directly involved in the squatting movementand not in direct contact with the floor can now move freely via restingon the moving part of the bridge bench device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope ofthe claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1A shows a user doing the bridge exercise while lying on the floor;

FIG. 1B shows a user doing the bridge exercise while lying on the floor

FIG. 2A shows a user doing the bridge exercise using a bench;

FIG. 2B shows a user doing the bridge exercise using a bench;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a bridge bench of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a bridge bench of the presentinvention from the back;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a bridge bench of the presentinvention in different height;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a bridge bench of the presentinvention from the back at different height;

FIG. 5A shows a side view of a bridge bench of the present invention indifferent height;

FIG. 5B shows a side view of a bridge bench of the present inventionfrom the back at different height;

FIG. 6A shows a side view of a bridge bench of the present invention indifferent position;

FIG. 6B shows a side view of a bridge bench of the present inventionfrom the back at different position;

FIG. 6C shows a side view of a bridge bench of the present invention indifferent position;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a bridge bench of the presentinvention with combination of a power rack;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a bridge bench of the presentinvention with combination of a power rack;

FIG. 9 shows a user doing the bridge exercise using a bridge bench ofthe present invention inside a power rack;

FIG. 10A shows a user doing the bridge exercise using a bridge bench ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10B shows a user doing the bridge exercise using a bridge bench ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11A shows a user doing Bulgarian split squats with a simple bench;and

FIG. 11B shows a user doing Bulgarian split squats with a single legexercise bench.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presentinvention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood thatthe invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, andthat the disclosed technology be limited only by the claims andequivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to perform a bridge exercise, the user 100 lies on his/her back101 with his/her buttocks 102 on the floor, knees 103 bent atapproximately 45° or another desired angle, and then raises his/her hips102 up, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B. The other possibility for doingthe bridge exercise is to use a bench 200 to lean on and rotate around acontact point 201, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B.

Again as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, a free barbell 202, dumbbells,kettlebell or weight plate, or any stationary weight, or band etc.directly off of the ground, in a rack, a smith machine or similarapparatus can be used during the bridge exercise. The user 100 placesthe barbell 202, dumbbells, kettlebell or weight plate across his/herpelvis 204, directly below his/her hip bones, in the acetabulum andusing a barbell pad or a towel (not shown), if the weight isuncomfortable, performs the bridge exercise. The user 100 grabs thebarbell 202, dumbbells, kettlebell or similar weight or presses againstan elastic band and holds it in place and tightens his/her core muscles,contracts his/her glutes and hamstrings, and powerfully thrusts his/herhips upwards and contracts his/her buttocks as hard as possible on theway up in order to successfully complete the movement to full hipextension.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, the back portion 205 of the user 100 does nothave any support while doing the bridge exercise. Having an ergonomicalsupport for the back portion 205 of the user's body is necessary whiledoing the bridge exercise with some resistance. It provides stabilityand comfort for the moving back of the user to do the exercise.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, a bridge bench 10 of the present inventionprovides support for the back portion of the user's body while doing thebridge exercise. The bridge bench 10 is comprised of two stationarybases 11, 12, which is engaged with the floor to provide stability forthe bench 10; a pair of adjustable legs 13, 14 for adjusting the heightof the legs 13, 14 based on the user's body length; and a pair of hinges15, 16 attached to the legs 13, 14 of the bench 10 from the distal end22, 32 of the legs 13, 14. The hinges 15, 16 attach to the moving bench30 which directly supports the user's upper body (back) when it pressesagainst the bench 10 at the changing angles produced when a personcompletes the bridge exercise. This pivoting action of the supportingbench 30 provides the full movement required for successfully andcomfortably completing this exercise. The supporting bench 30 moves froman angle of almost vertical to almost horizontal in the end position.Thus moving a total of approximately 55 degrees and allowing the user toeffectively and comfortably complete the bridge exercise in anergonomically correct way, through the full range of motion required forthis exercise.

A bridge bench 10 for bridge exercise comprising of a back-support benchhaving a length and a width to provide support for a back portion of auser's body while doing the bridge exercise; a pivoting means attachedto said back-support bench to allow said back-support bench to rotatearound a pivoting axis, wherein said pivoting said axis is along saidlength; an adjustable height stand attached to said pivoting means,wherein said stand having means to adjust the height of said bridgebench, whereby user's back is forced onto said back-support bench andpivot around said pivoting axis, thereby the user's back has ergonomicsupport throughout the bridge exercise.

The pivoting means comprises of a tube attached to said stand; a set offlanges attached to said back-support bench; each said flange having anaperture; a connecting rod passing through said apertures and said tube;a set of locking pins to attached to the ends of said connecting rod.

As shown in FIG. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, the bridge bench 10 has two telescopiclegs 25, 26 to adjust the height of the legs 13, 14 by a plurality ofapertures 31-34 designed on the legs 13, 14. A locking mechanism 40,which has a spring loaded rod member 41, engages with the apertures31-34 of the legs 13, 14 to help the users to adjust the height of thelegs 13, 14.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C show the bridge bench 10 of the present invention atdifferent angles. When the user does the bridge exercise with help ofthe bridge bench 10, user's back is forced onto the supporting backbench 30 and pivots around the pivot axial 15, 16. Therefore, the user'sback has ergonomic support throughout the whole movement.

Again as shown in FIG. 6A, a force (F) applied on the bench 10 has acomponent F₁ normal to the surface of the bench. That same force F₁ isexerted on the floor with a horizontal component F₂ and a verticalcomponent F₃. The vertical component tends to hold the bench 10 on thefloor whereas the horizontal component tends to slide the bench 10 onthe floor. The bench 10 should either be bolted to the floor or havingan anti-skid bottom to overcome the horizontal force F₂. The bench 10 inthe normal condition has a 45 degree angles with respect to verticalaxis. Therefore, only half of the force applied by the user (F) isconverted to horizontal force F₂ (ie., F sin(45)cos (45)=0.49F).

FIGS. 7, 8 show a perspective view of the bridge bench 10 of the presentinvention with a power rack 300. The bridge bench 10 can be used aloneor by combination with a power rack 300, a Smith machine, or similarapparatus to keep the barbell within the rack 300 or similar apparatuswhile supporting the back portion of the user. The power rack 300 safetyfeatures can be used for grabbing a barbell during the bridge exercise.

FIG. 9 show a user 100 doing the bridge exercise with the help of abridge bench 10 of the present invention with combination of a powerrack 300. As shown in FIG. 9, the user 100 should lean her back onto andagainst the supporting bench 10 with her buttocks 202 on the floor andknees 203 bent at approximately 45° and typically bring her feet 204closer to her buttocks 202. A barbell 400 with weights 401 placedapproximately in her acetabulum is then used on the floor, or in a rack300 to provide added resistance for the exercise.

FIG. 10 shows a user 100 places the barbell 400, across her pelvis 205,directly below her hip bones in the area of the acetabulum and typicallyusing a barbell pad or a towel for added comfort. The user 100 grabs thebarbell 400, to hold it in place and tightens her core muscles,contracts her glutes and hamstrings, and powerfully thrusts her hipsupwards. The user 100 then contracts her buttocks 202 as hard aspossible on the way up in order to successfully complete this exercisemovement with help of the bridge bench.

FIG. 11A show a user doing Bulgarian split squats or lunges with asimple bench. Typically, people completing these exercises complainabout foot discomfort, especially while balancing with a heavy weight ontheir shoulders or holding dumbbells for added resistance. As shown inFIG. 11B. As a solution, the bridge bench 10 of the present inventionprovides a support for non-active lower part 207 of the leg 208 which isnot directly involved in the squatting movement and not in directcontact with the floor to move freely, comfortably, and in anergonomically correct way via resting on the moving bridge bench 10.

A single leg exercise as shown in FIG. 11B for Bulgarian split squatsexercise comprising of a leg-support bench having a length and a widthto provide support for a leg portion of a user's body while doing theBulgarian split squats exercise; a pivoting means attached to saidleg-support bench to allow said leg-support bench to rotate around apivoting axis, wherein said pivoting said axis is along said length; anadjustable height stand attached to said pivoting means, wherein saidstand having means to adjust the height of said bench, whereby user'sleg is forced onto said leg-support bench and pivot around said pivotingaxis, thereby the user's leg has ergonomic support throughout theBulgarian split squats exercise.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the bridge bench mayhave one stationary base to hold the device on the floor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the stationary base hasa means to add friction between the base and the floor. The means toincrease the friction can be selected from an elastic material, aplastic material, a silicon material or any similar material.

The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosedtechnology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader'sunderstanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should benoted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are notnecessarily made to scale.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size,shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art,and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawingsand described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bridge bench for bridge exercise comprising: a.a back-support bench having a length and a width to provide support fora back portion of a user's body while doing the bridge exercise; b. apivoting means attached to said back-support bench to allow saidback-support bench to rotate around a pivoting axis, wherein saidpivoting said axis is along said length; c. an adjustable height standattached to said pivoting means, wherein said stand having means toadjust the height of said bridge bench, whereby user's back is forcedonto said back-support bench and pivot around said pivoting axis,thereby the user's back has ergonomic support throughout the bridgeexercise.
 2. The bridge bench of claim 1, wherein said width ranges from15 inches to 40 inches.
 3. The bridge bench of claim 1, wherein theheight of said bench ranges between 10 inches to 30 inches, to support auser's upper back in a sitting position.
 4. The bridge bench of claim 1,wherein said back-support bench is cushioned for user's comfort.
 5. Thebridge bench of claim 1, wherein said pivoting means allows saidback-support bench to rotate from substantially vertical position tosubstantially horizontal position.
 6. The bridge bench of claim 1,wherein said pivoting means allows said back-support bench to rotatefrom 45 degrees to 100 degrees with respect to a vertical axis.
 7. Thebridge bench of claim 1, wherein said pivoting means comprises of a tubeattached to said stand; a set of flanges attached to said back-supportbench; each said flange having an aperture; a connecting rod passingthrough said apertures and said tube; a set of locking pins to attachedto the ends of said connecting rod.
 8. The bridge bench of claim 1,wherein said means to adjust the height comprises of telescopic legshaving a plurality of apertures, a spring loaded rod member to engagewith said apertures at a predefined height.
 9. The bridge bench of claim1, wherein said adjustable height stand comprises of a pair of verticaltelescopic legs and a pair of horizontal bases to engage with a floor.10. A single leg exercise bench comprising: a. a leg-support benchhaving a length and a width to provide support for a leg portion of auser's body while doing single leg exercise; b. a pivoting meansattached to said leg-support bench to allow said leg-support bench torotate around a pivoting axis, wherein said pivoting said axis is alongsaid length; c. an adjustable height stand attached to said pivotingmeans, wherein said stand having means to adjust the height of saidbench, whereby user's leg is forced onto said leg-support bench andpivot around said pivoting axis, thereby the user's leg has ergonomicsupport throughout the split squats, Bulgarian split squats, lunges, orsingle leg exercises.
 11. The single leg exercise bench of claim 10,wherein said width ranges from 5 inches to 10 inches.
 12. The single legexercise bench of claim 10, wherein the height of said bench rangesbetween 10 inches to 40 inches, to support a user's upper back in asitting position.
 13. The single leg exercise bench of claim 10, whereinsaid leg-support bench is cushioned for user's comfort.
 14. The singleleg exercise bench of claim 10, wherein said pivoting means allows saidleg-support bench to rotate from substantially horizontal position tosubstantially vertical position.
 15. The single leg exercise bench ofclaim 10, wherein said pivoting means allows said leg-support bench torotate from −20 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal axis.16. The single leg exercise bench of claim 10, wherein said pivotingmeans comprises of a tube attached to said stand; a set of flangesattached to said leg-support bench; each said flange having an aperture;a connecting rod passing through said apertures and said tube; a set oflocking pins to attached to the ends of said connecting rod.
 17. Thesingle leg exercise bench of claim 10, wherein said means to adjust theheight comprises of telescopic legs having a plurality of apertures, aspring loaded rod member to engage with said apertures at a predefinedheight.